NFL Trade Rumors: Jadeveon Clowney And Others Stars Who Could Be Traded Before Week 1

Expect the Houston Texans to trade Pro Bowl pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney here in the next few days. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

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The NFL rumor mill is heating up big time as the regular season nears. Certain teams are looking to potentially move on from veterans who are in the midst of contract stalemates. Other squads understand where they stand heading into the regular season and are looking to flip veterans for future draft pick assets.

From a Pro Bowl pass rusher in Texas to a star receiver in Cincinnati, a number of players could be on the trade block. It’s in this that we look at some of them.

Jadeveon Clowney, Linebacker, Houston Texans

Clowney, 26, still has not signed the $15.97 million franchise tag tender. He wants a long-term commitment from Houston that would make the Pro Bowler one of the league’s highest-paid defenders.

This has led to trade speculation on a nearly daily basis with the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers being bandied about as potential destinations. Houston has to think long-term here. That includes locking up franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson once he’s eligible for an extension next March. He’s likely going to earn north of $35 million annually on said deal. Paying Clowney $20-plus million annually would be cap restrictive. This is a clear indication that a Clowney trade is imminent.

Trent Williams, Offensive Tackle, Washington Redskins

Future Hall of Famer Trent Williams is fed up with the Redskins. It could lead to a blockbuster trade before Week 1. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

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A previous report indicated that Washington turned down a New England Patriots offer for Williams consisting of a first-round pick. Whether that’s true remains to be seen. What we do know is that the relationship between this seven-time Pro Bowler and Washington’s brass is irreparable. Williams remains a holdout primarily because of an issue he has with how the Redskins handled a health scare last season.

The 31-year-old franchise tackle also wants a raise from the $10.85 million base salary he’s set to earn this season. It now seems rather obvious that Williams will be traded ahead of Week 1. Where he ends up is anyone’s guess, but the above-mentioned Patriots and Houston Texans seem to make the most sense.

A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals

A.J. Green might have seen his best days, but the Bengals' star receiver could be of interest on the trade block. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

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A report late on Friday suggested that one of the NFL’s best-known wide receivers is potentially on the trade block. There were no further details. However, common logic seems to suggest that it might in fact be Mr. Green. After all, two other well-known receivers in that of Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. were already traded this past offseason.

The 31-year-old Green is expected to miss the start of the regular season after undergoing ankle surgery earlier this summer. Given his injury history (missed seven games last season) and relatively advanced age, Green would likely come on the cheap in a trade. Two NFC West teams in that of the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers could make the most sense here.

Laremy Tunsil, Offensive Tackle, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have shockingly put young left tackle Laremy Tunsil on the trade block. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

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We previously focused on this former first-round pick as an extension candidate. However, recent reports suggest that the Dolphins might not want to pony up the cash and could look to move the franchise book end. Given how good Tunsil has been in three NFL seasons, this seems to make no real sense.

Then again, the Dolphins continue to look to stockpile draft picks as the team rebuilds. Tunsil could be their best asset. There would be no shortage of interest in Tunsil, the Houston Texans included. This is definitely an interesting story to watch as the regular season approaches.

LeSean McCoy, Running Back, Buffalo Bills

The addition of Frank Gore could lead to the Bills trading Pro Bowl back LeSean McCoy. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

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It could very well be a numbers game in Western New York. Buffalo signed ageless wonder and future Hall of Famer Frank Gore this past offseason. He’s more than impressed thus far during the preseason. The Bills also added talented young running back Devin Singletary in the third round of April’s draft.

This has led to the possibility of the Bills moving on from McCoy completely. And while it seems more likely that McCoy’s cap hit for 2019 ($9.05 million) will lead to an outright release, there’s a chance McCoy could be of value in a trade. It wouldn’t net the Bills much in return. Rather, the idea would be for another team to take on McCoy’s salary. Stranger things have happened.

Lesser-Known Names

Solomon Thomas: The San Francisco 49ers now have a plethora of talent on the defensive line after trading for Pro Bowler Dee Ford and drafting Nick Bosa. Despite what has been an impressive summer from this former No. 3 overall pick, Thomas has no real role in San Francisco. The 49ers could flip him for help a long the offensive line or in the secondary.

Artie Burns: After starting 31 games over the past three seasons, Burns is no longer listed as a starter on the Steelers' most-recent depth chart. The former first-round pick struggled big time in coverage last season and has fallen out of favor in the Steel City. Look for Pittsburgh to move Burns in an attempt to get something in return.

Laquon Treadwell: Here's another first-round bust. Treadwell, 24, entered the league with a ton of hype back in 2016. He's responded by putting up just 56 receptions for 517 yards in three seasons. It's led to speculation that the Vikings will attempt to move the 6-foot-2 pass catcher for pennies on the dollar, especially with him falling behind the likes of Chad Beebe and Jordan Taylor on the depth chart. A release is possible, too.

Josh Doctson: A report earlier in the week indicated that the Washington Redskins have been attempting to trade this former first-round pick for years now. And for good reason. Doctson, 26, has recorded all of 81 receptions for 1,100 yards in three NFL seasons since being selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. As with Treadwell, any move to jettison Doctson from D.C. would net the Redskins very little in return.